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- CS Kagwe launches sunflower‑soybean initiative to curb KSh 145B edible oil import bill;
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has launched an initiative to accelerate sunflower, soybean and other oil‑crop production during the opening of the Kilimo Biashara Expo 2026 at KALRO Seeds headquarters in Thika.
Kenya currently consumes roughly 600,000 metric tonnes of edible oils each year, yet more than 90–95 percent of that demand comes from imports, a costly reliance that the government says must change.
In 2022 alone, the country spent over KSh 145 billion on imported edible oils, underlining the size of the opportunity for local farmers and agribusiness investors.
Cabinet Secretary Sen.Mutahi Kagwe told farmers, researchers and business partners that scaling up production of these crops can cut imports, build local agro‑processing, and raise farmer incomes. The government is partnering with KALRO and other stakeholders to:
- develop and distribute high‑yielding seed varieties;
- strengthen seed multiplication and dissemination systems;
- support farmer groups and cooperatives;
- encourage private investment in processing and value addition; and
- strengthen market links between farmers and processors.
The expo, held at KALRO Seeds in Thika, serves as a marketplace for research, technologies and business opportunities for farmers.
Organizers expect the event to showcase improved seeds, mechanization, digital agriculture solutions and more, all aimed at turning agriculture into a competitive agribusiness sector.
Reports ahead of the expo noted the continuing push to showcase industrial crops like sunflower and soybean as part of efforts to lessen the country’s heavy reliance on imported edible oils.
Data cited by KALRO highlights that over 90 percent of edible oil is imported, stressing the urgency of promoting domestic production.
With strong emphasis on technology, training and market connections, the initiative launched at KALRO is positioned as a significant step toward lowering the edible‑oil import bill and expanding opportunities for farmers, youth, women, and agribusiness entrepreneurs across Kenya.
